CHENNAI: The mortal remains of nine soldiers, who followed the regimental motto and attained glory while performing their duties in Siachen, are still awaiting a funeral as unfavourable weather conditions delayed the final salute to the brave men.
Although their remains were transported to Siachen Base Camp but nature played truant and the mortal remains could not be transported to Leh. Defence Ministry sources said that efforts are being taken to transport the mortal remains to Delhi and from there to their home town.
Following are the profiles of the soldiers:
Sub Nagesha TT
Subedar Nagesha TT, a Junior Commissioned Officer(JCO) put in 12 years in field areas out of his 22 years of total service. During his illustrious career, Nagesha had taken part in ‘Operation Parakaram’ where he laid and recovered large number of mines. He also served in ‘Operation Rakhshak’ at Mendhar in Jammu and Kashmir for two years where he was actively involved in counter insurgency operations. He again volunteered to serve with Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir for two years where he displayed indomitable courage and leadership in fighting terrorism.
Sub Nagesha also went to North East from 2009 to 2012 to serve in ‘Operation Rhino’ where he formed part of several successful operations against the militants as the ghatak platoon JCO. He was serving in the super high altitude areas of Siachen Glacier from Aug 2015 and was handpicked for commanding one of the most important and highest posts at an altitude of 19600 feet since Dec 2015. His colleagues remember him as ‘Rambo’ who used to lift others weapons as well as load in addition to his own. He is survived by wife Asha and two sons Amit TN and Preetham TN aged six and four respectively.
Havildar Elumalai M
Havildar Elumalai M joined 19th Battalion The Madras Regiment on Oct 28, 1996. The Non commissioned officer had conducted several successful small team operations against terrorists in both Jammu and Kashmir and North East during his nine years of field service.
He was selected to be part of Sonam Post which required men with nerves of steel and high level of physical fitness. He attained instructor grading in Weapon Course at Infantry School, Mhow and was posted as Instructor at The Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington where he trained several recruits and his work was praised by his superiors.
He was also part of the Unit Training Team prior to induction of the unit to Siachen Glacier. Elumalai was on his way to be promoted as Junion Commissioned Officer as he had passed his promotion tests. He is survived by wife E Jamuna Rani and sons E Kavirasu (6) and E Sri Priyadarshan (4).
Lance Havildar S Kumar
Lance Havildar S Kumar was enrolled on October 31, 1998 and has the rare distinction of serving in the Siachen Glacier twice.
Volunteered to serve in the Siachen Glacier as a young soldier in 1999-2000, Kumar once again chose to serve in Northern Glacier with his own paltan. He also took active part in ‘Operation Parakram’ on the Western Border from 2001-2002.
Then he served in Jammu & Kashmir fighting militancy and was actively involved in Counter Insurgency Operations. He also got an opportunity to serve in the North East and fought terrorists from 2009 to 2011. He then volunteered to serve in Rashtriya Rifles from 2011 to 2013 in Jammu and Kashmir. He was hand picked by the Commanding Officer to be part of one of the most important post situated at an altitude of 19,600 feet.
He is survived by wife Kavita and eight year old Son Riyash.
Lance Naik Sudheesh B
Lance Naik Sudheesh B served in Jammu and Kashmir in ‘Operation Rakshak’ . During his tenure, he was part of intelligence collection team of the Unit and he helped the Battalion carry out several operations successfully.He also served in ‘Operation Rhino’ in the North East and was part of the Quick Reaction Team of the Company. He also volunteered to serve in Rashtriya Rifles for two years. A sportsman to the core, he is survived by wife Salumul P.
Sepoy S Mustaq Ahmed
Sepoy S Mustaq Ahmed joined 19th Battalion on September 21, 2004. Hailing from the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, Sepoy Ahmed took part in Battalion’s counter insurgency in the North East as also in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He later volunteered to join Rashtriya Rifles and was deployed in counter insurgency operation again in Jammu and Kashmir. On August 15, Sepoy Ahmed volunteered to be inducted in the Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 19600 feet, having the sub zero temperature. He is survived by wife S Nasimun and his parents.
Sepoy Mahesha PN
Sepoy Mahesha PN was enrolled in 19th Battalion The Madras Regiment on October 10, 2005. In a career spanning 11 years, Mahesha served in ‘Operation Rhino’’ from 2009 to 2012 where he was actively involved in counter insurgency operations. He again volunteered to serve with Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir from Feb 2012 to June 2014 where he displayed indomitable courage in fighting the terrorists and was part of many successful operations. He displayed keen interest in mountaineering skills which made him an apt volunteer to serve in High Altitude Area of Siachen Glacier with effect from Aug 2015.He was also a sharp shooter of the Battalion. He is survived by mother Sarvamangala and a younger brother Manjunath. He was the sole bread earner of his family.
Sepoy Rama Moorthy N
Sepoy Rama Moorthy N was enrolled in Madras Regiment and posted to 19th Battalion the Madras Regiment on December 13 2009. During his seven year career, he was actively involved in ‘Operation Rhino’ and was part of the Quick Reaction Team of the Company. He also volunteered for Rashtriya Rifles to fight counter insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. Rama Moorthy is survived by wife Sunita.
Sepoy Ganesan G
Sepoy Ganesan joined 19th Battalion of Madras Regiment on April 2010. He hailed from the Madurai. During his illustrious career spanning over six years, Sepoy Ganesan served in Counter Insurgency Operations both in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East. In August 2015, he was the youngest to be inducted to guard our frontiers at the important Sonam Post. Inspired by him, his younger brother also joined Army. He is survived his parents and younger brother .